DOE here. One day while Lola and I were in the kitchen while she was mixing ingredients I thought to myself: "Is all this really necessary? I mean, it's great to have high quality products, but it's just lotion." so I decided to do some digging. Firstly, the skin is the largest organ that the human body has. There is about three trillion pores in the human skin (depending on height and weight) and all of them are used to absorb any and everything that comes in contact with it. When we apply conventional skin and body care products to our skin we become susceptible to all of the affects that come along with using them. Part of the reason why using organic and natural products is important is because of the dangerous and ultimately fatal toxins that are carried via the lotions, soaps, shampoos and other body care products that come out of your neighborhood Wal-Mart or Target. I know what you're thinking "C'mon, DOE. Is my Jergens lotion THAT bad? Is my Johnson & Johnson products REALLY causing me harm? " I've done the research and I'm here to tell you YES! The human skin and scalp absorbs substances up to ten times faster than eating it, when applied. There are 1,000's of harmful chemicals in your favorite body care products and before I get into the great things nature can provide, I'll show you some of those popular toxins you unfortunately probably put on today.

THE EVILS

PARABENS - Parabens are a common preservative that cosmetic and body care companies use to prevent certain bacteria from forming, but studies have shown that they actually cause a lot more damage than they promise to prevent.

SULFATES - About 90% of the commonly used conventional soaps, shampoos, body washes and even some cosmetic products use Sulfates. Sulfates are used to accentuate and amplify the lather and foam when used in soaps. You know that undeniable burning feeling that happens when your soap gets in your eyes? Well that horrible feeling is made even worse with sulfates. Not only are sulfates irritants to the eyes, they actually affect the skin and lungs.

DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine) - These three chemicals are found in a lot of the conventional and popular lotions, body washes, shampoos, shaving creams and much more. They have been found to be hormone disrupting chemicals that can lead to problems like infertility and sterilization. Europe has actually banned the use of these chemicals because of its carcinogenic affects on people and it has also been shown that the risk is significantly higher in children.

TRICLOSAN - Triclosan is often used in antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizer and other cleansers. The EPA registered Triclosan as a Pesticide, meaning that it can have adverse affects on the people that used it as well as the environment it was used in.

ALCOHOL (ISOPROPYL) - Now I KNOW I may have some of you looking at the screen with a screw face. I too used rubbing alcohol for pretty much anything I wanted to kill immediately ranging from small cuts to acne and even razor bumps. I have been using alcohol for years, but here is the truth: Rubbing alcohol dries your skin which we often make synonymous with "clean". Rubbing alcohol actually strips the skin of its natural barriers so it makes it easier for us to become vulnerable to disease.

FORMALDEHYDE - Formaldehyde is another irritant that is commonly used in today's popular body care products to try to fight bacterial growth. Personally, just hearing the name Formaldehyde resonates as "poison" with me and the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens has named it as a carcinogenic chemical.

Those are just 6 of the 1,000's of harmful chemicals that not only live in your body and skin care products, but your foods as well. Another problem that we encounter is the fact that some of these chemicals aren't obligated to be put on the labels. It is extremely important for people to become more conscious when they are in the store aisles because their health is being put in the balance.

Now let's move on to the benefits of what nature has to offer. Understand that when dealing with nature; it is built to coincide with the natural process of human growth. Their properties compliment instead of compromise the human body and promotes a healthier lifestyle. I can say from first hand experience that transitioning from conventional products to organic has most definitely shown to be beneficial to me and my life. My skin has cleared up, my body feels better than it ever has allowing me to lose weight and live healthier. My thinking which affects my behavior has been overall positive and that has made it easier for me to deal with negativity. It has done nothing but help.

THE GOODS

COCONUT OIL - Coconut Oil is used as a very effective moisturizer that helps clean away dirt and bacteria in the skin all while leaving it feeling silky smooth. Coconut Oil is like a one-stop-shop when it comes to skin care. It protects your skin from infection, allows your skin to heal faster, slows down the aging process (via shrinking wrinkles), among other benefits. Coconut Oil is great and should be a staple in the household.

SHEA & COCOA BUTTER - Shea Butter, deriving from the seeds of the Karite tree, is enriched in Vitamins A, E & F (among other vitamins and minerals). Its benefits include skin rejuvenation, revitalizes hair and skin, and protects your skin from the sun in some cases. Cocoa Butter has some of the same skin empowering properties helping it to soothe, moisturize, balance and allows the body to feel and smell great.

CHAMOMILE - Healing Chamomile Flowers. A centuries-old favorite among herbs, Chamomile is wonderfully soothing to sensitive skin. Chamomile also has been found to be a preventative remedy for headaches, nervous tensions and even nightmares.

MARSHMALLOW ROOT - Okay, I'll come clean. When I initially read "Marshmallow Root" on the package's label my first instinct was to desire to eat it, ha! Upon further research I learned that in ancient times Marshmallow Root WAS indeed eaten to aid in famine. Marshmallow Root helps in alleviating the inflammation of the Gastric Mucosa (Inner layer of the stomach) and the Pharyngeal Mucosa. Marshmallow Root is not too known, but it has been helping people on earth since Ancient Greek.

ALOE VERA - Aloe Vera is a cactus plant that comes from the Liliaceae family. Aloe secretes a clear gel that has properties that can heal wounds and soothes skin. I remember being a child and mom using Aloe Vera on my mosquito bites, scratches and scrapes. Aloe Vera is also said to be used to treat burns, minor skin infections, diabetes, cysts and has even been found to help with more persistent conditions like Eczema.

TEA TREE OIL - Tea Tree Oil is a versatile essential oil that was new to me. When I looked it up I found out that it has antibiotic properties that help fight against skin infections, rashes, burns, itchiness, acne and much more.

Those 7 along with countless other natural and organic materials are what we need to REALLY start living the right way! When you stop using harmful products in your home you start to see positive physical and mental changes in your life. I don't even think that it's hard to believe in today's world that our favorite brands are full of horrible things that can do damage to our bodies. Buzzwords like "GMOs", "Pesticides" or "Artificial" paint images of unhealthy lifestyles in our minds, but to most those terms (and others like it) still don't resonate as they should. Overall I am glad to see people waking up to the fact that imperative choices must be made when being a consumer. We must start taking responsibility for the things we allow on and in our bodies and be mindful of the risks involved as well as the benefits involved with living a natural and organic life.

I appreciate you all for taking the time out to read our blog. We are going to be dropping these blogs frequently to keep the conversation open to our followers and patrons. We encourage dialogue so please feel free to SUBSCRIBE and COMMENT and stay in the loop with us! I hope this blog was of some help to you guys! Y'all be cool.